Determination of urinary iodine in school children of the Hhohho region in Swaziland
Lwenje, S.M.; Okonkwo, J.O.; Mtetwa, V.S.B.; Gamedze, A.G.; Mavundla, J.A.; Sihlongonyane, M.M.
International Journal of Environmental Health Research 9(3): 207-211
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0960-3123 DOI: 10.1080/09603129973173Document Number: 626055
Urinary I was measured in samples collected from 10 primary schools (n=399 school children) around the Hhohho region of Swaziland (1997). In 13, 27 and 48% of the samples, I contents were <=20, <=50 and <=100 micro g/dm, respectively. These values indicate that there is substantial I deficiency in the Hhohho region. A correlation was found between the severity of I deficiency and the physiographic region where the sample was obtained; the highveld, with a mean urinary I concentration of 97 micro g/dm was most at risk of I deficiency whilst the lowveld, with 134 micro g/dm was least at risk.